Switch mechanism



Nov. 2, 1926. 1,605,084

. E. H. W. ULLRICH SWITCH MECHANISM 21 59 32,1 (113, g92ls4 3 Sheets Sheet 1 97 v 22- .96 WETNESSES: g mm. 5 INVENTOR .2 WM EmM/ZMM/nc/z 55 5 36 68 I 57 BY Nov. 2, 1926. 1,605,084

E. H. W. ULLRICH SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Feb. 21, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 75 q 66 46 O 121 0 7 I) /I n f ='l 5': Fi .5

74 l Q Q g A. H H l ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1926. 7 1,605,084

E. H. W. ULLRICH SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Feb. 21 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet Z5 INVENTOR a 5/77/7/7, k M/nc/v.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SXVITCH MECHANISM.

Application filed February 21, 1921.

My invention relates to switch mechanism and particularly to switch mechanism of the safety enclosed type.

One object of my invention is to provide a switch mechanism wherein the live contact members and switch elements are normally inaccessible and wherein the fuses are disposed in a separate compartment and are protected by a cover so interlocked with the switch that the cover cannot be opened so long as the switch is in closed position and the switch cannot be closed so long as the cover is in open position.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a switch mechanism, having the above characteristics, wherein the switch member is of the rotary type and is surrounded by an annular insulating panel-of such design as to afford a support for the contact members and which precludes access to the parts that are alive when the switch is open.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch mechanism wherein the switch member, which is of the rotary type, is confined within a switch compartment and wherein the fuses are mounted upon the contact members and are supported exteriorly of a barrierthat is superimposed on the switch compartment.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch mechanism, of the above indicated character, wherein the fusible elements are disconnected from both terminals of the circuit and are, consequently, dead when the switch is in open position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive switch structure that is safe to manipulate and repair and which is relatively compact and neat in appearance.

These and other objects that will be hereinafter made apparent are attained by means of the switch mechanism hereinafter described. and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view of the switch mechanism showing a transverse section through the cover on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2 and a front plan view of the switch mechanism, certain portions of the barrier being cut away for the sake of clearness;

Serial No. 446,646.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, taken on the line IIII of Fig. 1; V

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through a modifiedform of switch mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the housing taken on the line IVIV of Fig. 2 and showing abottom plan view of the switch mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a portion of the apparatus taken on the line V V of s- 1;

Figs. 6 and 7 are side and front elevational views of the operating handle;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of a portion of the apparatus taken on the line VIIIVIII EMIL H. W. ULLRICH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC &; i

of Fig. 4 and showing the operating spring in front elevation;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section of a portion of the apparatus taken on the line IXIX of Fig. 1, showing the switch and cover interlocking mechanism in side elevation;

Figs. 10 and 11. are side and front elevations, respectively, of a detail of the switchoperating mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a section of the housing taken on the line XII-XII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a front plan view of another.

modified form of switch mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section through the mechanism. shown in Fig. 13 taken on the broken line XIV XIV of that figure;

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view showing a further modification of the device; and

Fig. 16 is a transverse section taken on the line XVIXVI of Fig. 15, showing certain contact members illustrated in Fig. 16.

' Referring to the drawings, the apparatus includes a metallic housing 13 having a bottom 14 upon which is mounted an annular insulating panel or base 15. The inner periphery of the base is provided with notches 16, in each of which are mounted a pair of separate contact members 17 and 18, the former of three pairs of contact members being connected to the main line terminals 19 by means of conductors 21, while the latter of three pairs are mounted in depressions 22 that are disposed adjacent one end ofthe notches 16. The outer contact members 18 are secured to the porcelain base, as shown in Fig. 2, by means of screws 23, and rotation thereof is prevented by the depressions 22.

The base 15 is provided with an annular flange or barrier that extends above the contact members 17 and 18 and precludes access thereto from the side of the housing. This barrier also serves to protect the contact members against the insertion of foreign objects. As a further precaution, access to the contact members and the switch chamber 25, which is formed by the annular base 15, is precluded by means of a barrier 26 comprising a plate of insulating material which is secured to the flange 2% by means of screws 27. This barrier extends across the entire housing and also covers the main line terminals 19 and the load terminals 29 that are disposed on opposite sides of the base and which are located in depressions 31 provided in the base 15.

The switch mechanism herein illustrated, is intended for a three-wire system and, consequent-1y, includes three separate sets of Contact members 17 and 18, and each set comprises two contact members, one of which is connected to the main-line terminal 19,'as stated above, by the conductor 21, while the other of which is connected to a load terminal 29. by means of a conductor 32.

Each of the outer contact members of each set is provided with an upright standard which projects through a slot 34 in the bar ier 26 and supports, at its outer end, a fuse clip The outer contact members of each set are electrically connected by means of a cartridge or other type of fuse 36 which may be of any preferred construction and is inserted in the clips 35 of each set of contact members.

The contact members 17 and 18 are spaced apart and are adapted to be connected by means of switch-blade members 37 and 38 which are secured, respectively, on the outer and inner faces of an annular disc 30 which forms a part of a rotary switch 20.

Switch Contact members 3? and 38 are provided for each pair of contact members 10 and 17 and are adapted to yieldingly engage the latter when the switch member is -orniwi 'i w'w r iotatet (v pzeueteiminec castance. The

switch contact members 37 and 38 are inin grooves 39 that are provided in the outer and inner faces of the disc 30 and are electrically c-rinected and secured to the disc means of bolts 41. The contact and 38 may, i i be made i a si pie e condu The switch member 20 is ed for rotation upon a shat otally mountt 4-2 that is securd, at its inner end, to the bottom 14 by means of a sleeve 43 and a nut l i. A metal disc 15 is rotatably secured to the shaft 42 and is provided with radial pro ections 16 whlch engage similarly shaped notches 47 provided in the inner side of the insulating disc 30. The plate 45 is secured to the disc 30 by means of bolts 18.

Vi hen the switch member is in open position, the contact members 37 and 38 occupy a position indicated in Fig. 1 and are out of engagement with the contact members 17 and 18. When the switch is rotated to closed position, the contact members 37 and 38 are moved to a position between the contact members 18 and 17 wherein they yieldingly engage the adjacent surfaces thereof, respectively, and establish a circuit, for instance, from the main-line terminals 19, through the conductor 21, the bolt 49 that connects the conductor 21 to the contactmember 17, the contact member 17, the switch contact 38, the bolt a l, the switch contact 37, the contact member 18, the fuse 7 clip 35, the fuse 36, the fuse clip 35 of the other members of the pair of contact members, the contact member 18 thereof, the switch contact 3'? of the other member of the pair of switch contact members, the bolt 11, the switch contact 38 and the conductor 32, which is connected thereto, by means of a bolt (not shown), to the load terminal 29.

It will be seen from the foregoing that, when the switch member is in open position, the fuse members 36 are disconnected from the circuit, and that the only terminals or contact members that are energized are the main-line terminals 19 and the contact terminals 17, both of which are located in comparatively deep recesses in the annular base. These live terminals and contact members are, therefore, made inaccessible by the annular flange 2a which forms part of the annular base. W hen the barrier 26 is in operative position, all of the contact members and terminal members ie beneath the bar rier and are, therefore, inaccessible, the only exposed conductors bein the fuse clips 35 which, as previously stated, are disconnected from the circuit when the switch is in open position.

In order to protect the fuses, a metallic cover 51 is hinged at to the housing 13 and is provided with a flange 53 that overlaps the upper edge of the housing 13. The cover is provided with an insulating shield L0 for the purpose of insulating the cover from the fuses and fuse terminals. 'By reason of this provision, the cover may safely be located closer to the fuses than would ordinarily be permissible, thus reducing the over all din'iensions of the switch housing.

he cover is so interlocked with the switch met 1 t at op,,. up; movement thereof is precluded so long; as the switch is in closed position, and closing movement of the switch is precluded so long; as the cover is in open position.

The interlocking dev'ce (see Figs. 1 and 9) comprises a tongue 5% that is attached to the cover 51 adjacent the hinge 52 by means of bolts 55. The tongue 54 extends inwardly into the housing and operates in the notch 56 that is a continuation of one of the notches 16 which is provided in the base 15. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the tongue 54 is provided with projections 57 and 58, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9, the cover is in closed position and the switch is in open position. The projection 57 of the tongue 54, at this time, lies beneath the extension 59 of the insulating switch disc 80. No 0bstruction is presented, at this time, by the tongue 54, to the movement of the switch. Therefore, the switch may be moved to closed position without interference.

When the switch is in closed position, the extension 59 is moved over the extension 57 and prevents opening movement of the cover so long as the switch remains in closed position. hen the switch is in open positlon, the extension 59 is moved to the left ofthe tongue 54, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and the cover 51 may be moved to open position for the reason that the extension 59, at this time, does not interfere with the movement of the tongue 54.

Vhen the cover 51 has been moved a short distance toward open position, the tension 57 is moved across the path of movement of the extension 59 and prevents closing movement of the switch so long as the cover is in any positon other than the fullyclosed position.

The cover is latched in closed position by means of a spring clip 61, (see Fig. 12), having a hemispherical knob 62 disposed at the free end thereof. The inner end of the clip .61 is riveted at 63 to the housing 15. hen the cover 51 is in closed position, the knob 62 springs into an opening provided in the cover 51. In order to release the cover, the knob 62 is pressed inwardly by the finger of the operator.

The switch is normally yieldingly retained in open position by means of a pair of, leaf springs 64, Figs. 4 and 8, that are attached to a standard 65 which is secured to the base 14. An inwardly projecting pin 66 projects from the inner face of the switch disc 45 and engages the free end of one of the springs 64 which serves to retain the switch in open position.

The switch is actuated by means of a handle .60 that is secured to the plate 45 and, when the switch is moved to closed position, the pin 66 presses against one of the springs 64 which otters resistance to closing movement of the switch. The spring 64, which is in immediate contact with the pin 66, is re inforced by the other spring 64 after the switch hasbeen moved a predetermined distance. V

The switch is held in closed position by means of a latched lever 67 (see Fig. 5), that is pivoted to a clip 68 that is mounted upon the bottom 14 of the housing. A spring 69, that is mounted upon a yoke 71 which is secured to the bottom 14, serves to normally bias the latched handle 67 outwardly toward the switch disc 45 which is provided with a perforation 72 into which the latch point 7 3 is moved by the spring 69 when the perforation 7 2 is moved into registry with the point 73. The outer end of the latched handle 67 is provided with a flat tended finger pad 74 which is disposed exteriorly of the housing. lVhen it is desired to open the switch, the pad 74 is pressed toward the bottom of the housing, thereby causing the switch to be released. The springs 64 will then move the switch to open position with a snap-action.

In order to impart a snap-action closing movement to the switch, means are provided whereby, throughout a predetermined initial movement of the switch, yielding resistance is imposed thereon in addition to the resistance offered by the spring 64. After a predetermined movemcnt of the switch and previous to the engagement of the switch contacts with the contact members, this resistance is abruptly removed with the resultthat the hand of the operator forces the switch into contact with the contact members with a snap-action.

The retarding action is produced by means of a. spring 75 that is attached by means of a bracket 76 to the bottom 14 of the housing. This spring is provided with a curved portion 77 at its free end which is adapted to be displaced during the initial closing movement of the switch (see Figs. 2 and 4) by a pawl member 7 8 that is pivoted to the inner side of the switch disc 45 by means of a bolt 79.

The pawl member is retained in the position illustrated in Fig. 4 by means of a spring 81 which is connected, at one end, to the free end of the pawl member and, at the other end, to an angular shaped clip 82 which is secured to the inner side of the switch disc 45. The extension 83 of the pawl member engages the clip 82 and limits rotative movement of the pawl in a counterclockwise direction.

Referring to. Fig. 4, when the switch is moved to closed position by a counter-clockwise movement of the handle 60, the spring 75 is deflected during the initial movement of the switch until the end 77 slips over the end 84 of the pawl 78. The sudden release of the resistance just before the switch contacts move into engagement with the contact members causes the switch to be thrown to closed position, with a snap-action, by the hand of the operator.

When the switch is moved to open position, the eud77 of the spring 7 5 will engage the end 8 1 of the nawl and cause displacement thereof in opposition to the t "sion ot the spring 81. The opening move cnt will be retarded by the 31 until the end 77 ot the spring 1D laces the pawl "[8 sufiiciently to permit the end '7'? to slip past the end 8 1 01 the pawl. The spring ($1 will then impart a snap-action opening movement to the switch.

The switch handle 60 is provided, its outer end, with a p rl oration 7 0 that registers with perforations 30 and 90 that are disposed in spaced relation in a This plate is secured to the hoi lVhen the switch is in the open 30s perforations and 80 are registcicd and a Jadlocl: may be in. ted therethrough for the purpose of locking the switch in open position, thus preventing unauthorized per-' sons from closing the switch while an opcrator is making pairs on the circ it, perforation in the p re 50 reg perforation that is provided a .L chn carried by the cove" 51, and a lock may be inserted in the perforations tor locking the cover in closed position.

In Fig. 3, I have illust ed a form 01? switch structure wherein tact members are provided double contact iii cmbers vice just described. In t panel comprises a circul radial grooves 86 pr videt 111 the i r' 1 modmc flexible conductors The switch comprises an 'nsulating disc 39 having switch contact members 91 and 92 secured to the inner surface thereot and projecting radially firom the edges of the disc. These switch contact memb 91 and 92 are adapted to engage the end su .es of contact members 93 and 9st, respectively, which are mounted upon the insulating disc 85. Each circuit is provided with two contact members 93 and as the case may be, which are provided with fuse clips 95 to be connected by means of a cartriege fuse,

The circuit from the main line terminal 96 is through the conductor 3. the swit h contact 91, the contact member 93, the fuse clip 95, the fuse (not shown), the clip 95 of the contact 94:, the contact member 9 1, the switch contact 92 and the conductor 88 to the load terminal 97. By reason of this construction, certain switch contacts and contact members may be dispensed with,

A spring 93, which surrounds the shaft 99, about which the switch disc 39 tates, serves to yieldingly press the co act members 91 and 92 into engagementw the contact members 93 and 9%, respective y A further modification of the switch mechanism is illustrated in Figs. and 1d .11) .LL, wherein the construction is somewhat similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3. The main ditferences of the construction reside in the fact that the movable contact members 101 are n'iounted upon the inner sides of radial extensions 102 projecting in spaced relation on the rotary switch disc 103, and that the movable contact members engage the outer surfaces of the stationary contact members 104 that are mounted on the insulating base or panel 105.

The fuses 106, one of which is shown, are mounted in clips 107, and the clips are secured to the stationary contact members 104 by means of standards 108. The switch disc 103 is made of insulating material and complctely covers the switch contact members 101 and the conductors 109 and 111 that serve to connect the two switch contact members 101 of each set of contact members to the main-line terminals 112 and the loadline terminals 113, respectively. The circuit through the switch is from the main-line terminals 112, through flexible conductors 109, one switch contact member 101 of each pair, the fuse 106, the other switch contact member of each pair and conductor 111 to the load-line terminal 113.

The switch disc 103 is pivotally mounted upon a centrally disposed shaft 114 and is pressed inward so as to insure good contact oi. the contact members by means of a spring that is disposed between the switch disc and an adjustable washer 116. The tension of the spring 115 may be adjusted by means of the nut 117 that is threaded upon the shaft 114.

ln T lgS. 15 and 16, I have illustrated a 2 cent to the axis of rotation of the switch disc 103.

Rigid conductors 121 are secured to the inner side of the base 105 and are connected to contact clips 122 that are disposed in a circle concentric to the contactmembers 119 and are yieldingly engaged thereby. The coacting contact members 119 and 122 are of tech width that they will overlap one an in any operative position of the switch d, consequently, will establish a cirn the main and load-line terminals to the 3 respective switch contact members.

It will be seen that the various constructions disclosed are simple and inexpensive to inanuinctui'e and may be designed to form a neat, con'ipact switch mechanism that is safe to operate and which may be readily in- Ill) spected or repaired without danger to the operator. By reason of the fuses being disconnected when the switch is open, it is immaterial which side of the switch is connected to the main-line terminals or to the load terminals.

lVhile I have described and illustrated but four embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. Switch mechanism comprising a housing, separate contact members within the housing, a rotary switch member within the housing movable in the plane of the contact members for bridging the contact members, a stationary barrier closing access to the contact members and the switch members, fuse members connecting the contact members and disposed exteriorly of the barrier and a cover for enclosing the said fuse members.

2. Switch mechanism comprising a housing, separate contact members within the housing, a rotary switch member within the housing movable in the plane of the contact members for bridging the contact members, a stationary barrier closing access to the contact members and the switch member, fuse members connecting the contact members and disposed exterior-1y of the barrier. a cover for enclosing the said fuse member and means for so interlocking the cover with the switch member that opening movement of the cover is precluded so long as the switch is in closed position.

3. Switch mechanism comprising a housing, separate contact members within the housing, a rotary switch member within the housing movable in the plane of the contact members for bridging the contact members, a stationary barrier closing access to the con tact members and the switch members, fuse members connecting the contact members and disposed exterior-1y of the barrier, a cover for enclosing the said fuse members. and means for so interlocking the cover with the switch member that closing move ment of the switch is precluded so long as the cover is in open position.

4. Switch mechanism comprising a pair of separate contact members, a movable switch member for connecting the contact members. means for operating the switch to open and to closed position and yielding means yieldingly retarding the operating means throughout a predetermined movement of the said means toward opening or closing movement thereof and for releasing its retarding action before the operating means has actually made or broken the connection between the switch member andthe contact member.

5. Switch mechanism comprising an annular panel, contact members mounted on the panel and connected to the main line terminals, contact members superimposed over and insulated from the first contact terminals and connected to the load terminals, an annular barrier surrounding and projecting above the first contact terminals and a transverse barrier mounted on the an nular barrier for precluding access to the first terminals from the outer face of the panel.

6. Switch mechanism comprising a rotary switch member having radially projecting contact members thereon, an annular insulating base surrounding the switch member, contact members mounted in spaced relation upon the base and adapted to be connected by the switch contact members, an annular insulating barrier surrounding and projecting above thesaid contact members and a transverse barrier mounted 'onthe annular barrier for precluding access to the said contact members from the outer face of the panel.

7. Switch mechanism comprising a rotary switch member having radially projecting contact members thereon. an annular insulating base surrounding the switch member, contact members mounted in spaced relation upon the base and adapted to be connected by the switch contact members, an annular insulating barrier surrounding and projecting above the said contact members from the side of the switch mechanism and a barrier covering the switch members and contacts and closing the space within the annular base for precluding access to the switch members and the contact members from the front of the switch mechanism.

8. Switch mechanism comprisinga rotary switch having contact members thereon, an annular insulating base surrounding the periphery of the switch member, spaced contact members thereon adapted to be connected by the said switch contact members. the said contact members being superimposed,

the innermost being connected to the mainline terminals and the outermost being connected to the load terminals, and a fusible element connecting the outermost contact members.

9. Switch mechanism comprising a rotary insulating disc, switch contact members 8X- tending radially from the said disc, an annular insulating panel surrounding the said disc and having notches in its inner periphery for receiving the switch contact members and permitting limited movement thereof within the notches and separate contact members disposed within the notches and adapted to be connected by the switch contact members.

10. Switch mechanism comprising an anres nular insulating panel having notches in the inner periphery thereof, separate contact members mounted in superimposed relation therein, an insulating disc and switch 5 contact members thereon extending radially from the disc into the notches for connecting the said contact members, the innermost of which is connected to the main line terminals and the outermost of which is connected to the outer load terminals.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 10th day of F eb ruary, 1921.

EMIL H. W. ULLRICH. 

